According to a new study from Pew Internet, between April 09’ and May 10’, social networking site usage skyrocketed 88% among Internet users aged 55-64. And if that wasn’t a shock, the 65 and older group’s social networking presence shot-up 100% in the same time frame.

Although young people still dominate social networks like Facebook, their usage only grew 13% during the year covered by Pew’s studies. Older adults are playing catch-up at an incredible pace, though it remains to be seen whether they will pass the younger socialites or hit a ceiling at or below the usage levels reported by young adults and teens.

Older adults who use services like Twitter or Facebook are still considered the minority when it comes to their peers. Last year Pew reported that 19% of all Internet users have “updated a status” on one of these social networks, but only one in ten Internet users aged 50 and older used status updates or read updates written by others.

According to report author Mary Madden, Pew’s Senior Research Specialist, e-mail still dominates “e-communication” for the 50 and older demographic.

About the author

Paul OtisAs an avid enthusiast of both writing and media, Paul's focus for this blog will be on whatever strikes him at the time deadline approaches. He lives and breathes media with no real life beyond that, except of course his son and their pet Orangutan. His promise is to try to be educational and accessible without being too techy – which won’t be too difficult, because he’s not a hardcore tech kind of guy. Hope this helps you in your marketing and everyday life – enjoy!